Chapter 87. Bare Minimum

CHARLOTTE

“You said I was your best girl.”

“Maybe I said that because I wanted to believe it too.”

It felt like someone punched me in the stomach.

I couldn’t breathe.

“Leo…” My voice broke completely. “You can’t mean this.”

“I do.” He rubbed his temples, stepping back toward the door. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do it anymore. You’re a beautiful person, but you need to love yourself before trying to love someone else. Right now… you’re a mess. And it’s breaking me too.”

“Let me fix me! Just—give me time! Please, Leo.”

He looked at me for a long, silent moment—the kind that stretches and hurts more than words ever could.

Then he whispered, almost too softly to hear, “I’m sorry.”

And before I could move, he turned and walked out the door.

The sound of it closing behind him echoed in my chest like a shatter.

My knees gave out. I fell to the floor, pressing my hand over my mouth to muffle the sobs clawing out of my thro